On to the Paddington Arm

Sunday, 07 August 2011 09:00

I was surprised how much I remembered about the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal.

Turning onto the Arm through Bull's Bridge

I wondered what had changed, if anything ......

My memory did not play any tricks, and little had changed on the way to Perivale, where we hoped to moor.

We were pleased to spot a familiar narrowboat from a distance - a toot from us and a few barks from Molly and out came Anne to say hello.

Moore 2 Life in a nice spot

Passing Willow Tree Marina there were boats moored near this elegant footbridge, another nice place to moor.

Moorings and footbridge near Hayes

Engineers Wharf was advertising moorings - it is one of the most expensive places to moor, but it is all residential berths. Half of the moorings were vacant, but maybe some boats were out. I wonder if this mooring, advertised here has gone now.

Engineers Wharf

Taylor Woodrow is still making its mark beside Ruislip Road Bridge - an area of modern housing built by them, I presume.

Taylor Woodrow in bricks

This bridge is surprising - it looks as if it should be right out in the countryside. Its name has a rural feel and it does link two areas of "parkland".

Smith's Farm Bridge

Contrast it with this bridge - Western Avenue, the A40 road into London from Oxford

Arriving at Greenford, the 14D visitor moorings appeared to have long stayers on them. It looked difficult to get into the water point which is right by Black Horse Bridge. Maybe the pub there is the attraction!

Greenford VMs

Squeezing in at Black Horse Bridge

We moored at Perivale Wood, about another half mile on - almost exactly in the same place as we had at the end of November 2008. Our next target was Little Venice and Paddington, now something may well have changed there ......

Grand Union Canal, Paddington Arm, Bull's Bridge to Perivale Wood
1 hour 47 minutes, 5.51 miles, 0 locks